CENTER FOR WOMEN

Concentrating on outpatient services for women of all ages, CDUH Center for Women brings together competent medical expertise, innovative technology and friendly staff. Aside from Obstetrics, Gynecological Ultrasound and Sono-Mammogram, the center offers a full-range of diagnostic services for breast cancer. Mammography uses technology that produces high quality X-ray images and a lose-dose system.

WHAT IS A BREAST CANCER?

Cancers occur when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Almost all breast cancers occur in women- very few occur in men.

The cancer usually begins as a small lump in a breast and then grows, either slowly or quickly. It can also spread to other parts of the body after a period of time. Early diagnosis is the key to survival.

In fact, most lumps in the breast are not cancers, they are benign and don' spread to other parts of the body. However, every lump in the breast needs careful checking by a healthcare professional.

WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER?

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. Factors that can increase a woman's risk include heredity, early puberty, late childbearing, obesity, and lifestyle factors such as heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age --- just growing older. Most breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50, and women over 60 are at the highest risk.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER?

Early breast cancer usually doesn't cause pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. But as the cancer grows, it may cause changes that you should watch for:

Painless lump in the breast

A change in the size or shape of the breast

Nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast.

Ridges or pitting of the breast, making the skin look like the skin of an orange

A change in the look or feel of the skin of the breast, areola or nipple such as warmth, swelling, redness.

WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES ON BREAST SCREENING?

20 to 39 Years

- Annual physical examination

- Monthly self examination

40 to 49 Years

- Annual screening mammography

- Monthly breast self examination

50 Years & Above

- Every two year screening mammography

- Monthly breast self examination

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

HOW IS BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSED?

The doctor does a careful physical exam and asks about her personal and family medical history.

Through mammogram is a special type of X-ray taken to look for abnormal growths or changes in breast tissue. It's key tool in breast cancer detection.

Doctors sometimes use ultrasound images to check whether a breast lump is a cyst (a fluid-filled sac that is not cancer) or solid mass.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON BIOPSY METHODS PERFORMED?

Core Biopsy

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

Mammo-guided Needle wired Biopsy

Sono-guided Needle wired Biopsy

HOW SERIOUS IS BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer is potentially a very serious condition and can be life-threatening:

Early detection of breast cancer is therefore vital as it increases the chances of successful treatment.

Community screening programs and mammograms are key to early detection and are integral tools in the fight against breast cancer.

Self-examination is also important and women should check their breasts regularly. If there are any changes in size or shape, lumps, tenderness or nipple discharge then a healthcare professional should be.

HOW IS BREAST CANCER TREATED?

Typically, treatment of breast cancer will involve surgery followed by a combination of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation. However, treatment can vary greatly from patient to patient depending on the stage of the cancer and whether recurrence has occurred.

Surgery: Removal of lump (called a lumpectomy) is the preferred technique. Removal of lymph nodes in the armpit may be undertaken as well. Removal of the breast (called a mastectomy) is only preformed if absolutely necessary.

Chemotherapy: Medicines that interfere with cancer cell growth and division are administered to reduce the size of tumors or kill them.

RADIATION THERAPY CENTER

CDUH RADIATION THERAPY CENTER is the designated premier center dedicated to patient care and aims to provide the best medical care for cancer patients in a warm and comfortable environment. Treatments are conducted with the Varian Clinac 600C Medical Linear Accelerator with 80-leaf Multi-Leaf Collimator, which produces 6MV photons.

Providing radiation therapy is a team of compassionate, committed and highly specialized medical, paramedical and administrative personnel that are responsive to the need to cancer patients.

If you have other special needs, please let us know. We will accommodate your needs and make your treatments as easy as possible.